Return to a splendid boondock above a wonderfully ordinary town

Saturday, October 14

Normally the crew and I don’t move camp on a Saturday. Since we’re not going to a campground or an RV park, but rather to open desert boondocking, the fact that it’s a Saturday doesn’t matter. We won’t encounter competition for a good site.

We leave Cedar Pocket Campground, boarding Interstate 15 south.

In a glorious swoop curving downward between high canyon walls, the Perfect Tow Vehicle shoots out of Virgin River Gorge. The straight line highway crosses the northwest corner of Arizona and into Nevada.

We pass the condos, casinos and commerce of busy Mesquite and 29 miles further exit the interstate at Route 169. We go southeast into Moapa Valley, zig-zagging through Logandale to Overton.

I love the ordinariness of Overton.

Nothing pretentious about this town!

Oh, there’s the turn for the city park.

“You guys are gonna’ love picnics and playing in the grass. You loved it, Reg, the last time we were here.”

On the other side of town we roll by the wildlife management area.

The roofs of a few RVs stick up from the tangle of dusty tamarisk. I chuckle recalling the time we camped there. All night long we were bombarded with the clanking-beeping-crashing noises of the silica plant across the road.

Beyond the cluster of RVs at Poverty Flats, we turn onto Sand Mine Road. The PTV rumbles over the rocky road. I drive slowly in deference to the Best Little Trailer tagging behind.

At last we come to the place of silence and solitude I’ve been wanting!

Wow! We have the mesa all to ourselves!

This next photo looks across the great divide between “our” mesa and popular Poverty Flats. Those tiny white marks near the top of the photo are RVs!

Oh, this is sweet! I don’t think we could find a better camp than the one we had the last time we were here.

I find the fire ring that marks that nice campsite. I position the Best Little Trailer with the door/refrigerator side facing north which will provide shade to that side throughout the day. The narrow blue mat goes here.

At the rear of the BLT I put down the large blue mat. The boys will like playing on the mat in the sunshine . . . .

Sunday, October 15 and in the days that follow . . .

We fall into a pleasant, comfortable routine.

I set to work removing oxidation from the Best Little Trailer. (Shame on me for not giving her a wax last winter. The BLT deserves better!) I follow up the oxidation removal with a coat of Mequiar’s Marine Wax.

I only do a small area each day, enough to give me a feeling of productivity followed by the reward of pushing back in the lounger with a book.

We take twice-daily walks on Sand Mine Road and out to the end of our mesa . . .

Each day we toodle into Overton.

It’s only a few miles to town.

Some days we go to the library where I have a library card. (My Paperwhite works fine but it’s fun to browse the library and bring home regular books for a change.)

Occasionally we stop at McDonald’s drive-thru to pick up a picnic lunch of “artisan grilled chicken sandwich” (480 cal.) to share . . . Or I go into Linn’s Grocery to procure a picnic lunch from the deli (57,843 cal., give or take.).

After our picnic, it’s fun in the grass for Reggie and Roger!

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It’s great to be back!

rvsue

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

The links below take you to the products I mention in this post. You can also use the links to go shopping at Amazon.

Both the oxidation remover and the wax are easy to apply and both do an excellent job!

Meguiar’s also has a one-step oxidation remover/wax product which you can find by scrolling the Amazon pages linked above. I’ve never tried it because I like the two product method. — Sue

“Time to go home! We’ll come here again tomorrow. Promise!”

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RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I like “returns” too. It’s nice to experience fun things again and often some experiences are new and different in familiar places.
It is also interesting to see what has changed and what has remained the same.

Thank you for noting the condition of Reg and Rog. They do have good muscle.

I don’t control their eating… In other words they have quality kibble in their bowls all the time, ready for any time they want it. I guess they don’t get fat because of the regular exercise. Which begs the question… Why aren’t I as slim as they are?!!!!

I wish our rescue, CoCo, could play with them.She loves to run and play. We just traveled from Akron to the Ft. Lauderdale area in a car with her and she fared well. I believe she would be an excellent RV dog.

Reggie and Roger love those excursions to the green grass park. Roger is so excited that he wants to leap over my shoulder when I stand in the open door to hook him on the tether. Then when I set him down he races to the grass. I have to guard my hand against tether burn! 🙂

Silica mine or the Mesa? Love it! The photo of sand mine road is awesome!
57000 calories give or take was hilarious.
Does the crew like grass for a change or does zoom time occur with or without preference?
Maguiars is a great product. Be careful with that step ladder…
Enjoy your weekend!

Totally off the subject of your new boondock. Have you had the boys microchipped in case they ever get lost? It’s a quick procedure & I interrogated the vet’s office about how it’s done before I had my little Chihuahua microchipped..

Yes, both boys are microchipped. Reggie came from a rescue in Las Vegas and they don’t adopt out without a chip being implanted. Roger got his chip at the time he got his “snip” — and I’m not talking haircut!

Sue, as a fairly recent follower I love it that you revisit campsites and give links to posts of previous visits. That way us newbies get two visits. Looks like you have a good routine going. How long will you be at this stop?

The crew and I have moved on from the Sand Mine Mesa boondock after a stay of 20 days. We would’ve stayed longer if it weren’t for the waste tank needing to be dumped. Once I hitch-up and move to a dump station I’m in the mood to move camp.

I hope someday you find the time and inclination to read my posts from the beginning. I’d love for you to know my original, precious crew. 🙂

hi, i read the entire history of Sue’s blog and even though it took quite a while reading her posts and all the comments, i learned so much about boondocking, equipment, and the whole process of long camping trips. even if you don’t do it full time, you will enjoy the conversations and the Blogerinos.

I promise that I will catch up from the beginning. I have my own BLT, a 22’ Sportsmen (named Betty) which I purchased after taking a cross-country trip in a motor home. We love the RV lifestyle and have followed your travels with great relish. I also am a blogger of two years (www.easingalong.com) and have listed rvsueandcrew.com on my blogs to follow list since we discovered your site last summer. Keep up the great work. P.S. one of these days I will install a cell booster like the one you have shared.

Since you’re a relative newbie I wanted to point out that Sue lists all her camps by month and gives the cost, managing agency, and length of time she used a particular camp. You can find this beneath her header photo in the category “Camps”. Such fun to go back and review where she has made her home. Lots of good info there and you can get an idea of the route she has traveled in the past year. Careful! Time flies when you’re reading this. If you’re like me an hour (or more) is gone before you know it. If you’ve already made this discovery, then you know all about this category.

Glad you are along for the ride. Stick with it and you’ll learn lots and have a good time doing it. And yes, do go back to the beginning. It’s a great read.—Audrey

I think letting Roger join your family was one of the best things you could have done for both of them, and you too! They look so happy playing and wrestling together. Hugs and tail wags from me and the 3 M’s. P.s. My Muffin is still hanging in there thankfully.

I am a relatively new follower also, mid-atlantic resident and new owner of a 2017 Casita 17’SD. I statyed at a few ACOE campgrounds between Rice and home in July. I was wondering if you prefer the West for the solitude? I don’t know where I would find such wide open areas east of the Mississippi.

To answer your question: I prefer the West for several reasons: magnificent scenery, glorious rivers, rocks, mountains (and mesas!), LOW HUMIDITY, lots of public land providing free or inexpensive camping, lots of elbow room . . . and, yes, several options for finding solitude. Do plan to come West if you ever can do so. Get yourself a Benchmark atlas and go, go, go! 🙂

I hope you will appear here often. When you do, please include your state with your name so I can keep you distinct in my mind from the other Jans who comment. Thanks!

Thanks for your reply! I am Maryland Jan. I bought a Ford 150 to go along with the trailer. I can already see the advantages of the PTV you use! The high tailgate is a little awkward, but I wanted to feel comfortable climbing the mountains in the West since that is in the future plans. My daughter and I volunteered for a week at Best Friends in Kanab a few years ago and loved the experience and the area. I am looking forward to returning.

Welcome back to the Southwest for the winter. Glad to see all is still going well with you.
Don’t forget to try some Gardenburgers when you go to Smart and Final. They are so good.
Have a wonderful weekend.

You’re welcome, bess. You will be happy with the results using Meguier’s. I think the directions say “wait a few minutes” before wiping off the dried wax. I found I got the best results if I waited several minutes — 20-30 minutes — and in this dry heat.

That must be some picnic lunch – ROFLOL! I, too, enjoy the blogs of your repeat visits. For one thing, the fact that you return to a specific camp moves it higher on my list. Hope you saw a leaf vacuum and bag on your sales. I ordered it either Thursday or Friday and hubby, Joe, is out “playing” with it now. As for me, I’m babysitting the chili simmering away. We made a double batch and will freeze the leftovers. It makes a wonderful supper on a cold winters night. Not many of those nights for you, huh? 🙂

Hey Sue,
This may sound redundant by now. But I felt as if I were returning to this camp site with you. There was something very comforting about that. I know you have moved on at this point. I look forward to every post. As I said before. I live vicariously through your adventures. But now that I have my “orange cargo van” I take great joy in the thought that I will have my own adventures.

Any thoughts from anyone are welcome. Me being 67, my adult sons think I’ve lost my mind if I mention my plans to them. My grandchildren have been hearing made-up adventure stories from me for years. Tyler my oldest grandson is getting ready to go off to college soon. He loved the stories and Nick, the youngest 8 asks for the stories about “Grandma’s Adventures” regularly.

Maybe its time for you to go on a few new adventures! Maybe not far at first, but explore a few corners near you!
I had much rather say I am glad I did that than to end up saying I wish I had done that! I wish you joy in your explorations!

Had some internetz issues, so catching up. Have you thought about getting Roger a sonic collar, if you don’t want to use a shock collar? You can also get a sonic birdhouse, if you don’t want to use a collar for him

And yay,you and the boys back to Overton! Its funny – it’ll probably be a few years before we get out west to Overton, but I feel like I already know the area thanks to your posts!

We have a “birdhouse”. Bought it through your link so amazon at least used to have them. It worked great at first, but in a week or two his desire to scare away the mailman was greater than the annoying sound. I understand you need to change the battery monthly. Maybe ours lost power sooner. I didn’t like it anyway because the frequency set my sound processor buzzing. I have a BAHA Implant because I’m totally deaf in my left ear. Maybe it would have worked better if we had reinforced training with treats instead of just praise. Maybe 2 weeks would have been enough. Anyway that’s my experience.

How on earth do you keep your days straight? I rarely know if it’s a weekend or midweek and have shown up for appointments a day early or two days late.

Today was a good example. I have been itching to go to Lake Roosevelt (AZ) for a day outing. November is one of the best months to visit. Pleasant day and night temps and usually minimal rain. Not packed with an influx of snowbirds, yet. I even considered an overnighter, minimalist style with my tent and backpack. I avoid the lake on weekends since that’s when the working folks visit. Midweek is much less crowded and more enjoyable for me , so I planned for a trip on a Thursday.

Today was the day! WRONG! I had thrown my trekking poles, pack, and cooler into the truck and was out side ready to leave before 8AM. Something just didn’t seem right as I stood in the driveway. Very minimal traffic for one thing. No kids hoofin’ it to the school bus stop. The horses on the ranch across the road weren’t out in their corral per usual. Definitely different today.

Fearing something on the order of a national emergency of some sort, I returned to inside the house and turned the TV on to my one and only OTA channel to get “the news”. Huh? No Good Morning America today? Then it hit me–the cartoons gave it away. Today was not a Thursday! It was Saturday. I missed my own outing by two days. I really need to get a grip on the standard of time that the rest of the world uses.

So, what is your secret, Sue?

On topic—I’m glad you’ve made it back to the southwest for another winter visit. When your Casita is all spiffy and shiny, I know the location of a Scamp that could use similar attention. My garage! I’ll be much too busy trying to keep track of the days to assign myself to such a labor intensive task . I admire your industrious efforts AND your intuitive sense of time (or whatever it is).—Audrey

Whoa, Audrey! Confusing Thursday with Saturday… I get confused but I think you beat me this time! Haha! Funny story! I also enjoyed reading your previous comment explaining the many reasons why one shouldn’t and wouldn’t want to camp next to water tanks in the desert. Thank you for writing that. I’m sure you enlightened many readers.

How do I keep track of the days and time? My trusty laptop tells me in the lower righthand corner. I also keep a conventional, paper calendar on which I mark the arrival and departure of camps, plus the camp fee.

Hi Sue,
I love the joy of living that your blog exudes; it’s also evident in the romping antics of the boys. Thanks for sharing repeat camps, you always find something new to share about the location, like new campsites, experiences, adventures in town. I enjoy the most how you share living out your blog heading of enjoying more with less.
I especially appreciate your zest for life right now. Our time in NJ will soon be ending. My Mom passed away on Sept 16. My Dad and I will move to parts yet undetermined once the house is sold. I’m thankful that we have my trailer to travel with, first to inter Mom’s ashes, now to spend Thanksgiving in Florida. My Dad has been a great traveler, dry camping at Pilot truck stops. The lessons I have learned from your life on the road have been invaluable. Thanks

It’s tough moving on after one’s mother passes. I’m glad you and your father have each other and are showing signs of that “zest for life” you mention. I wish both of you safe travel to Florida and much relaxation and renewal there.

Love post and return to Overton. The view of the mese is fantastic. Rog & Reg sure know how to have a good time. All that rough housing and then the “I love you buddy” at the end is just super sweet. This Mesa is a great site.

Yay! Poverty Flats and you are already gone!!! Always good to see the dogs tussle in the grass!
Cooler weather here, in the 40’s tonight, 70’s tomorrow with abundant sunshine! YAY! Loving it! Hope you are happy and warm wherever you have landed! Cuddle the boys from us!
Thank you to all the veterans for your call to arms and protecting those who could not protect themselves! We appreciate you! 💗💗💗💗 👍

Yep! That is true, but in truth we just have 4 bad months. July, August, January and February! The other months are usually pleasant enough to be outside!
Ear scritches and belly rubs to R & R!
Hugs to you too!

I love your return camps. It’s like “going home” with Sue and Crew! Hope everyone is having a nice Veteran’s Day Weekend. Thank you to all who have served. God Bless you, and God Bless America.

Cold has come to the northeast. Sitting by the wood stove, enjoying the warmth and looking out at the November woods – just those oak leaves left. The bare trees allow me a nice view of the Helderberg mountains in the distance.

What a nice situation for you to be in! You had a nearby town you enjoy going to, then privacy, solitude and warm desert views when you went home. And, with Roger being part of the crew now, you didn’t feel pressured to keep finding someone else’s dog for Reggie to play with, the way you did when you camped there before. I’d guess that made it even easier for you to “Have a good one!” every day 😉

That’s right, weather! Roger is the playmate Reggie needs. From the moment they wake to when they fall asleep, they’re partners and playmates in all they do. It’s a pleasure to have that in my life and to share it with you and all my readers.

I hope you and Kayla are snug and warm in your home as autumn gives way to the first signs of winter. November is often marked as the dreariest month. I think it’s the month that brings us inside to be warm with those we love, whether bodily or in spirit.

Thanks, Sue, we are snug and warm in our home. I love the way you think about November… I really don’t find it dreary, either. Maybe it’s like much in life, what we choose to make of it, taking advantage of the gift you mentioned and the first signs of winter or not.

If you can find it by doing a web search, a you tube video titled “Beautiful Autumn Music-November” by Brandon Fiechter may be one you’d enjoy. It shows two scenes as the music plays. The first scene looks very much like what I saw outside my door this week when it was about 60 degrees out. The second scene is closer to what it’s like now.

What changed it so suddenly was one cold night’s 50 mph wind gusts blowing through. I took my granddaughter to a park on this lake the next morning. That wind had made the waves so high there they’d splashed over the rock wall, onto the shrubs, and become ice that was covering it all. In the sunlight to me the shoreline looked like one long sparkling beautiful ice sculpture. I wondered if she’d see that or just find it too cold out to enjoy our walk. She rushed around taking pictures, exclaiming “Look, oh, wow, look, I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s amazing, it’s incredible!”.

I will look up that you tube video in the morning. I’m standing outside in the dark… in the open door of the PTV with the motor running. My jetpack lost all charge just as I received a notification that you had replied. I had to read it so I left the boys who are in bed for the night and came out here to read what you had to say. I’m never disappointed with your comments! 🙂

Coincidentally (or not) I watched and listened to a You Tube video today…Great Is Thy Faithfulness sung by a boys choir and with photos of beautiful landscapes. Wish I had the URL to share with you. Now the song is on a loop in my brain!

Hi, Sue, I was waiting until you were up and around before replying. I didn’t want you standing outside in the dark to read this, though I admit I liked that you went through that last evening just to see my comment and answer me 🙂 .

These might come through as links to the videos we meant

youtube.com/watch?v=iEegHOnuPJM

that’s the autumn one

youtube.com/watch?v=K5Q-rYHKC6g

that’s one of how great thou art,with what sounds like a boys choir, and has nature with animals scenes, some where ice is forming. Another version had the same music just different scenes but I can’t find it now, that may be what you saw.

Typing those and sending them in email does produce a link, though it might not on here, it should at least bring up the videos to see if used in a web search. I’m glad you told me about the one you’d watched so I found that video version of How Great – it’s beautiful! Thank you! That type of thing/e.s.p. connection happens too often with us for me to believe it’s mere coincidence… Anyway, Good Morning, I wish you a glorious day

Hi Sue
I love it when you go back to sites previously visited, especially locations I’ve enjoyed myself.
My feet are veeerrryyy itchy right now and instead of getting ready to take a much too long trip overseas, I wish we could be right where you are, staying for as long as possible in one spot.
Oh well, hopefully this time next year will arrive soon enough.
Enjoy the view

Sue and crew
I’ve enjoyed your blog for years, not from the beginning but a good while. I thought I better make my presence known. The pups are so lucky to enjoy the life with you and I’m sure you enjoy it with them. I had planned on doing some travelling with my special son but life brought us two great grandkids to enjoy instead. We did get in a couple of trips before the addition. Now I live that fantastic life through your blog while the motorhome waits. I do enjoy the western country but live in Ohio where the weather is turning chilly. Thank you for sharing your travels with us.

Thank you for reading my blog “for years.” I’m happy you decided to come into blogorinoland to tell us a little about yourself. It’s nice meeting you. I’m glad my blog is a source of enjoyment for you.

Enjoy those two great-grands while you can. As you know, they grow up fast. Meanwhile, the motorhome and the West waits for the right time for you. 🙂

Thank you once again Sue for being such an inspiration. I smile when I see your triumphs and especially smile when I see your pups wrestling. They are gorgeous. You are helping to encourage me I’m being braver in the boondocking endeavors but I do have far to go. Also still I must make a living and I do so as a vendor at different event venues. My challenge has been finding places in between and at the venues that are beautiful and affordable or free preferably free. Once again thanks I look forward to your next blog.

Yes the moving the wrong part is difficult with specific deadlines. Sometimes I’m able to stay at the event venue such as now I am in the fairgrounds where my event was held and I leave tomorrow. I think I will Master this one day hopefully soon but it has been hit and miss.

Okay so I’m hooked on Blizzards….Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard to be exact. Never lived near a DQ. We wanted to get AO a small cone or something..and apparently they have an item called “pup cup” which is a soft ice cream in a cup. And ya know what’s great??? They are free!

Putting it out there……cuz I know we all spoil our furkids!
Come to find out (google is your friend) some establishments have a “secret dog” menu!
In n out has a “Flying Dutchman” two burger patties with cheese…minus the salt! Reg man …start looking for in n out burger joints!

I love going back to former camps. You have hit three in the last few weeks, with this one being # 3. I love the camp in Utah by the creek and close to the cabin. Then I LOVE the campground that has the three sided shelters around the picnic table on a concret slab. The only other camp that I have really loved was in Arizona with the little blue house with the flowers. I think it is in a town close to Ajo. But who am I kidding. I love them all. Thank you so much for sharing.

I enjoyed learning which three camps are your favorites! Ivie Creek (Maple Grove cg) near Salina, UT, Minersville cg near Beaver, UT, and the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, CA where Chuy lives in his “little blue house with the flowers.”

Good Morning Sue, I think when I read your blog it is not always where you are at but what you write about that is intriguing. Enjoy yourself and your writing. And a side note I just placed an amazon order for Mason Jar Lights.